Gregory wasn't a killer.
No, he was an artist. His methods were just… misunderstood by people, just like Paz had said. But he wasn't to be deterred. He would carry on in his master's legacy. So he shifted his satchel and continued onward into the night.
**********
"Welcome folks, and prepare to witness the amazing wonders of my circus!!!" The ringmaster yelled out loud.
Gregory listened to the ringmaster go on and on about himself. He was angry. Why did the ringmaster always get the praise?? It was thanks to the animals that the circus was successful. Gregory looked out from his cage and saw Barny the seal balancing on a beach ball. The crowd roared in laughter and cheered on. The noise got louder as Jenny the kitten, on cue, bumped into the ball and Barny comically fell over.
Gregory was furious with the crowd. He was equally furious with his animal associates. Time and again, he had tried to explain to them that they were much more than recreational animals, that they had a mind to think and decide. They, however, only cared about their next meal… and that was possible only if they performed according to the ringmaster's instructions.
"And now, introducing…" The ringmaster glanced at Gregory's cage "... the spectacular, wondrous, jaw dropping monkey, curious Gregory!!!"
Sid the snake slithered over to Gregory's cage and lifted the latch, to which the audience clapped their hands. Gregory walked out slowly to the middle of the stage. He looked at the ringmaster who was ready with his whip. The ringmaster was not a big fan of Gregory's 'shenanigans' as he called it. Thus Gregory went to his clown cage hungry more often than not.
The audience murmured a bit as Gregory stood still in the centre of the stage doing nothing. The noise drowned out as they waited to see his act.
Nothing. They got restless and Gregory could tell that the ringmaster was getting agitated.
"He must be shy folks, let's give him a hand!!!" The ringmaster shouted.
The crowd clapped their hands unenthusiastically but Gregory remained still. He knew the ringmaster could not beat him with the whip. At least not now. Gregory knew this because he was aware of animal right laws. The ringmaster dared not beat him to perform because surely, there were laws against man handling animals in this town. Yes… He, Gregory, a monkey knew how to read, he knew how to reason, and how to understand the language of the humans. Gregory knew he was different because of his ability. And he was determined to let his ringmaster know his worth.
So after thinking it through, Gregory raised his arms up and did a headstand. The crowd were finally pleased as they got their mindless entertainment. After some more minutes of utter nonsense, the ringmaster called out for Wendy and Mendy, the twin parrots. So Gregory left the stage slowly but stopped abruptly for a thought had popped into his mind. He raised his head and gave a devious, wicked looking grin to the audience. Then he continued on his way out ignoring the whispers emanating from them.
**********
"Alright ya scrubs!!!" The ringmaster bellowed "Come get ya share of today's gain!!"
Gregory watched as the other animals rushed to the ringmaster and follow him to the trough. The ringmaster poured out some barely edible junk into it and stepped back to watch as his animals pushed and shoved each other to get their mouths into the trough. He smiled in delight.
Turning to go, he saw Gregory glaring at him. "You naughty monkey… you almost cost me big time, you know that right??"
Gregory remained silent.
"I'd sell you to the pet shop but no one would accept a miserable looking, worn out monkey, whose parents abandoned him." The ringmaster spat grinning straight at Gregory.
Gregory kept silent but continued glaring at the ringmaster.
The ringmaster stepped back "Aye, now you're giving me the creeps." He tossed a bag to Gregory "Enjoy, you naughty monkey." He said and laughing to himself, walked out.
Gregory watched him go out and reached for the bag. He stuck his hand inside and found a single item. He took his hand out to reveal to himself the item.
A banana.
Gregory squeezed the banana in total disgust. He squeezed and squeezed until it popped from both ends.
He had had enough!
Gregory had had enough!
**********
The next day, as early as six am, the tent was all packed up and the circus was ready to leave. So after checking and ensuring that all animals were in their cage, the ringmaster rode off. As he rode along, he smiled to himself and wondered if Gregory had liked his little joke. The little rascal nearly cost him yesterday.
The ringmaster arrived at the next location and unpacked. Then he called out to the neighbourhood.
"Come one come all to witness the spectacular circus!!" He yelled into a megaphone. "Wonders and sights to behold at the incredible animal circus."
A few hours later, the tent was set up and was filled to the brim with people. The ringmaster smiled to himself as he imagined the sum of money he would rake in.
The animals too must have known that fact too because they put on their best performance. The event went smoothly… Until it got to Gregory's turn.
The ringmaster was a bit fidgety as he realised that he had not actually apologised to Gregory. The monkey had a thing about apologises, and if he wasn't given a proper apology, he tended to get a bit… naughty.
The ringmaster introduced Gregory and Sid slid over to the cage and lifted the latch. There was no movement going on in the cage and the ringmaster was sweating. He could sense the crowd going crazy so he walked over to the cage and raised the tarp up….
Empty…
The ringmaster started shaking.
"Hey!!!" A voice yelled out "Where's this monkey??"
"T…the incredible… um… invisible Gregory!!" The ringmaster said but he wasn't buying it. The crowd were apparently not buying it either.
"Invisible?? More like non-existent." the same voice yelled and boos erupted in the tent.
The crowd threw items like plastic cups, tomatoes and half eaten sausages at the ringmaster. He grew red and stormed out of the tent. Where had the stupid monkey gone?? Surely he hadn't run away?? Had he??